Once again, it is time for the 27th Annual Adopt a Family Program that spreads holiday cheer to over 400 children in Whatcom County!
Our Adopt A Family Program provides holiday gifts to children experiencing housing instability by fulfilling their holiday wish lists, bringing joy and relief to families during the holiday season. By adopting a family or contributing toward a wish list, you are providing an opportunity for the Lydia Place parents and caregivers to focus on creating lasting holiday memories with their loved ones.
First time adopting a family with us?
We have you covered! Keep scrolling to view the step-by-step process, guidelines, FAQs, and cost breakdown for adopting a Lydia Place family.
Available Now!
We are so happy to have you back! Like last year, Lydia Place is purchasing the Family Activity on your behalf, so all you need to do is complete the online checkout and shop for the items on each kiddo’s wish lists.
A step-by-step overview of the Adopt a Family Program process
Adopt a Family Program Point of Contact
Heather Fleming
Program & Partnership Coordinator
360-671-7663 | [email protected]
Step 1: Start getting excited to spread the holiday cheer!
Click here or on the Wish Lists button above to start viewing the available families to adopt this holiday season. Our families, like yours, come in all sizes. We have organized families by size to make the experience of adopting a family one that is clear and easy to navigate.
For frequently asked questions and a breakdown of the costs associated with adopting a family click to expand the sections below.
Step 2: What to expect after online adoption process is complete
After you check out a receipt will be emailed to you including links to the detailed wish lists of the family (or families) you adopted. There will also be a PDF linked in your receipt that contains the relevant information given on this website for further reference.
Step 3: Go shopping for wish list items!
Use the wish lists included in the receipt you were emailed and have fun! If you are unsure what gifts to purchase, the Frequently Asked Questions section on this page has some ideas for you.
Step 4: Deliver unwrapped gifts the first week of December to our Adopt a Family drop-off location.
Drop off gifts to Heart House, 1705 Gladstone St. Bellingham, WA
- Friday, December 6th, 10 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday, December 7th, 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday, December 8th, 10 AM – 4 PM (LAST DAY TO DROP OFF)
Getting your gifts to the families you adopt before the holidays is our top priority and with over 150 families through Whatcom County, it takes some time so please be ready to drop off your items during our drop off weekend. Our team will be ready to receive your gifts, add the family activity, and the wrapping supplies and prepare them for delivery. Please try your best to meet this deadline as it takes some time for our staff and volunteers to organize and deliver gifts to over 150+ families throughout Whatcom County. We try our best to honor family time not only with our clients, but with your family, and ours.
PLEASE NOTE: IN THE EVENT YOU DO NOT MAKE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH OUR TEAM PRIOR TO THE DROP-OFF DEADLINE, AND DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR FAMILY’S GIFTS BY 5 PM ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, LYDIA PLACE WILL CHARGE THE CREDIT CARD ON FILE FOR THE ADOPTION THE FULL $100 PER CHILD AGREEMENT SO WE CAN ENSURE THE FAMILY ADOPTED STILL GETS THE GIFTS THEY WERE HOPING TO GET THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THANK YOU.
COST BREAKDOWN BY FAMILY SIZE
1 child family will have a total cost of $150
Which includes $100 gifts + $50 upfront cost at time of online adoption (1 x $25 family activity + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
2 child family will have total cost of $275
Which includes 2 x $100 gifts + $75 upfront cost at time of online adoption (2 x $25 family activity + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
3 child family will have a total cost of $400
Which includes 3 x $100 gifts + $100 up–front cost at time of online adoption (3 x $25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
4 child family will have a total cost at $525
Which includes 4 x $100 gifts + $125 up-front cost at time of online adoption (4 x $25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
5 child family will have a total cost of $650
Which includes 5 x $100 gifts + $150 up-front cost at time of online adoption (5 x $25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
6 child family will have a total cost of $775
Which includes 6 x $100 gifts + $175 up-front cost at time of online adoptions (6 x $25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
7 child family will have a total cost of $900
Which includes 7 x $100 + $200 up-front cost at time of online adoptions (7 x $25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
8 child family will have a total cost of $1025
Which includes 8 x $100 + $225 up-front cost at time of online adoptions (8 x $25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if I have questions about what gifts to buy?
Choosing gifts can be challenging especially when you are purchasing gifts for someone you do not know. Some wish lists can be extremely specific while others are very vague, so we just ask that you use your best judgement. It may be helpful to think about what a child in your family might want or ask other parents or grandparents with children in that age range what they like. We encourage you to have fun with it, no one knows better than our adopters that picking out and giving gifts is just as rewarding as getting them.
What is the family activity?
The family activity is such an impactful aspect of our program because while gifts around the holidays mean a great deal, allowing space for togetherness and the creation of new memories is essential to strengthening family bonds. Further, these activities continue to offer a stronger connection between our clients and the community around them. This year the family activity will be a gift card so each family can choose when and how to celebrate together.
Why don’t we wrap the gifts ourselves?
We all can imagine the excitement around the holidays and the wonder in children’s eyes when opening gifts together. As a parent, getting to see these gifts beforehand and get excited themselves is also such an amazing gift. By allowing parents to wrap these items themselves, they get to be involved and have some ownership of all those warm fuzzy gift-giving feelings awaiting their family.
What happens if I can’t follow through with my adoption?
Please reach out at as soon as possible to Heather Fleming, our Program and Partnership Coordinator, at 360-671-7663 or at [email protected] before November 21st so we can re-post the family on our adoption website with the hope we can have them re-adopted in time.
*If you commit to adopting one of our families and do not drop off your family’s gifts by December 9th or make special arrangements with our team, our agency will charge the credit card on file for the full $100 per child to ensure the family still receives the gifts they were hoping for this holiday season.
CONTACT:
Heather Fleming
Program & Partnerships Coordinator
360-671-7663
[email protected]